TORONTO, December 12, 2013 — French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau is delighted with the unanimous adoption of Bill 106, French Language Services Amendment Act (French Language Services Commissioner), 2013, in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario today. Once Royal Assent is given by the Lieutenant Governor, the resulting amendments to the French Language Services Act will make the French Language Services Commissioner an officer of the Legislature as of January 1, 2014.
In his 2011-2012 Annual Report, Straight Forward, the Commissioner recommended to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs that an amendment to the French Language Services Act be introduced to have the Commissioner report directly to the Legislative Assembly.
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“Through the independence of the French Language Services Commissioner, Ontario’s Francophonie is being given a permanent presence in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario,” said the Commissioner. “It is a historic step forward in recognizing and safeguarding the rights of Ontario’s Francophone citizens.”
“I am extremely motivated by the fact that Franco-Ontarians are gaining a new institution that belongs to them and is an integral part of the Legislative Assembly,” added the Commissioner. “I look forward with great enthusiasm to Francophone and Francophile communities in every part of the province helping to build this institution and tailor it to their needs.”
“I congratulate all parliamentarians ─ particularly the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and the opposition parties’ Francophone Affairs Critics ─ for their unwavering leadership and support in the unanimous adoption of this bill. Together, they chose to safeguard this position from possible political interference, to make certain to maintain the interest of senior public servants in complying with the act over the long term, and to give the Commissioner the necessary autonomy to fully execute his duties,” concluded the Commissioner.
QUICK FACTS
The position of French Language Services Commissioner was established in September 2007 following an amendment to the French Language Services Act.
The French Language Services Commissioner is responsible for conducting independent investigations under the French Language Services Act in response to complaints or on his own initiative. He also monitors the progress made by government agencies in delivering services in French in Ontario.
The adoption of this bill on Third Reading follows its introduction and adoption on first and second readings on September 25, 2013, and its consideration by the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly today. The bill will officially become law once the Lieutenant Governor has given it Royal Assent, the final step in the legislative process.
The French Language Services Commissioner was one of the few ombudsmen in Ontario who reported to a minister rather than directly to all parliamentarians.
The French Language Services Commissioner will become, as of January 1, 2014, an officer of the Legislature, like the Auditor General, the Environmental Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Integrity Commissioner, the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, the Ombudsman of Ontario and the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario.
The French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario was the only provincial or territorial language ombudsman in Canada who did not report directly to the legislative assembly of his jurisdiction. The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, and the Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories report to the parliamentarians of their respective provincial or territorial jurisdiction.
LEARN MORE
See Bill 106, French Language Services Amendment Act (French Language Services Commissioner), 2013, at http://goo.gl/aKI2P1 and section 1.2 of the Commissioner’s 2011-2012 Annual Report, on the independence of the French Language Services Commissioner, at http://ontario.ca/bipi.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner works to ensure active, integrated delivery of French-language services in support of the development of the Francophone community and Ontarian society.
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Simon Côté, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
MISSISSAUGA, October 28, 2013 — The French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario, François Boileau, and the President of Canadian Parents for French (Ontario), Mary Cruden, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding that outlines their desire and will to develop closer ties in order to promote the value of the French language, Franco-Ontarian culture and the benefits of official language bilingualism; and feel that it is in the best interest of Ontario’s society at large if Francophones and Francophiles work together in this pursuit.
“We applaud Commissioner Boileau’s recognition of the challenges in French as a second language (FSL) education and the advantages of working together for both the Francophile and Franco-Ontarian communities. Our national bilingualism is something to be proud of, and my organisation and I feel it is worth both nurturing and supporting.” stated Ms. Cruden.
“Mary and I share the same passion towards the desire and need for more French language education at the elementary, secondary and particularly postsecondary levels. There is a significant absence of choice and opportunity for our high school graduates when it comes to pursuing their education on the postsecondary level in French in Ontario.” noted Mr. Boileau, adding: “Combining both our knowledge and networks will benefit both the Francophone and Francophile communities.”
The Memorandum articulates that both parties will share promotional information and work collaboratively to explore recommendations produced by their investigations; and represents a collaborative relationship that both parties have already established over the past few years. This partnership also represents the direction that the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner is taking towards recognizing, acknowledging and working with the natural allies of Franco-Ontarians to amplify the need for more access to French language education at all levels.
“The obstacles that Ontarians face when trying to access French language education, whether it is in immersion or in French language schools is a shared obstacle that we hope to rectify together.” states Mr. Boileau, and, adds Ms. Cruden “Combining the strengths of our respective organisations will help guide our respective governments toward pragmatic solutions and lasting improvements in French language education. It’s a win-win situation.”
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Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of members that values French as an integral part of Canada and is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French Second Language learning opportunities for all Canadians.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner works to ensure active, integrated delivery of French-language services in support of the development of the Francophone community and Ontarian society.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Simon Côté
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario
Between the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner, an agency of the Government of Ontario, having its office at 700 Bay Street, Suite 2401, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2H8, represented by the Commissioner, François Boileau, as he declares,
And
Canadian Parents for French (Ontario), a legally constituted, non-profit charitable organization having its office at 103-2055 Dundas St. East, Mississauga, Ontario, L4X 1M2, represented by Mary Cruden, President, duly authorized for the purposes of this Memorandum, as she declares.
WHEREAS French, while being one of the two official languages in Canada, is also an important part of Ontario’s heritage. The two parties outlined in this Memorandum of understanding wish to foster the vitality of the Francophone community in Ontario and value the supportive role that French Second Language learning provides to that end. It is partly through the effective delivery of quality French Second Language education that the continued growth of the Francophone community will continue.
WHEREAS both parties outlined in this Memorandum of understanding wish to ensure and respect the continued usage of the French language;
WHEREAS Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) is the provincial branch of “a national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French second language learning opportunities for all Canadians”1
WHEAREAS Canadian Parents for French (Ontario)’s primary roles are:
To increase the public’s awareness of the opportunities and benefits of learning French;
To support parents and children in French Second Language programs;
To influence decision makers to adopt policies in support of equitable access to French Second Language education.
WHEREAS the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner works to ensure active, integrated delivery of French-language services in support of the development of the Francophone community and Ontarian society.
WHEREAS the French Language Services Commissioner has a mandate to conduct independent investigations under the French Language Services Act, either in response to complaints or on his own initiative, to prepare reports on his investigations, and to monitor the progress made by government agencies in the delivery of French-language services in Ontario2.
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1 Source: Website of Canadian Parents for French (Ontario), visited on September 27, 2013
2 Source: Website of the French Language Services Commissioner, visited on September 27, 2013
WHEREAS the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner listens as much to the Francophone community as those who support its development, its primary roles are:
To receive and handle complaints and to follow up on them;
To increase the public service’s awareness of the public’s expectations;
To exercise its powers of investigation and to make recommendations with respect to the delivery of French-language services;
To advise the Minister and make recommendations to her.
WHEREAS the two parties outlined in this Memorandum of understanding have the desire and the will to develop closer ties in order to promote the value of the French language, Franco-Ontarian culture and the benefits of official language bilingualism. Both parties agree that it is in the best interest of Ontario’s society if Francophones and Francophiles work together in this pursuit.
THEREFORE,
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner undertakes
To provide Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) with promotional information on its initiatives for dissemination within the CPF network;
Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) undertakes
To provide the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner with promotional information on its organization and initiatives for dissemination within the network of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner;
The two parties equally undertake
To work collaboratively to explore opportunities for developing common initiatives in order to advance the objectives set out in this Memorandum.
For the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner:
François Boileau
Commissioner
For Canadian Parents for French (Ontario):
Mary Cruden
President
TERMS OF AGREEMENT
This agreement shall have a term of five (5) years. It shall commence on the date on which it is has been signed by both parties.
LIABILITIES
No liability will accrue as a result of this partnership. Neither association has the authority under this agreement to commit to obligations on behalf of or otherwise legally bind the other association.
REVIEW AND DURATION OF PARTNERSHIP
It is agreed that the partnership agreement will be reviewed on an annual basis. The partnership will remain in place for the next five (5) years, with either party having the right to withdraw on three (3) months’ notice. The partnership may be extended or the agreement expanded as a result of the annual review or by mutual agreement between the two parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties entrust the signature of this Memorandum of Understanding to their duly authorized representatives on October 26, 2013.
For Canadian Parents for French (Ontario)
_______________________________
Mary Cruden
President
For the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
TORONTO, October 24, 2013 – French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau believes that the Action Plan for French-Language Postsecondary Education unveiled today by the Ontario government paves the way for the development and implementation of concrete, pragmatic solutions to remedy the feeble 0-3% French-language college and university program access rates in Central-Southwestern Ontario.
Through this action plan, the government is committed to gradually increasing the annual funding provided to all French-language and bilingual postsecondary institutions capable of offering French-language programs of study in Central-Southwestern Ontario up to 2015-2016. The government is also committed to establishing an advisory body on French-language education by the spring of 2014 and to assessing Glendon University College’s capacity to offer more French-language programs.
In a climate of budget restrictions, the government is demonstrating vision by investing in the future of the Francophone and Francophile community and in the indisputable asset that a population fluent in both of Canada’s official languages represents in an increasingly competitive economy. This approach will certainly prove highly beneficial and will help Ontario to make the most of its advantages and exploit its full potential. While this first step is clearly in the right direction, the Commissioner feels that a number of important issues remain, including the autonomy of Glendon College and the mandate and membership of the advisory body.
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“I congratulate the government on developing this action plan,” said the Commissioner. “The government is showing leadership by providing substantial funding for the development of new French-language programs in Central-Southwestern Ontario. These programs will meet the growing needs of students who wish to pursue a postsecondary education in French in the region.”
“Although this action plan includes a provision to review Glendon College’s capacity to offer more French-language programs, it doesn’t address the issue of governance by Francophones, which is critical to protecting current French-language programs and developing new ones,” noted the Commissioner. “In fact, Glendon College currently has no real decision-making power in the creation of new French-language programs without the consent of its parent institution, York University.”
“I am concerned that the proposed deadline for establishing the advisory body is too far away for it to address Francophones’ needs in a timely fashion,” added the Commissioner. “In addition, there is no indication that the body’s mandate will fall within the parameters set out in my recommendation and the Expert Panel’s recommendation. In particular, it is important that a prominent role in the body also be given to postsecondary institutions that are already offering French-language programs in Central-Southwestern Ontario, such as Collège Boréal, which has been working in the field for 10 years.”
QUICK FACTS
Only two of the five postsecondary institutions that offer French-language programs in Central-Southwestern Ontario have Francophone governance: Collège Boréal and La Cité collégiale.
In their respective reports entitled No access, no future and Moving Forward, the Commissioner and the Expert Panel on French-Language Postsecondary Education both recommended that the government establish a new secretariat to determine the need for postsecondary education programs and services for the Francophone population of Central-Southwestern Ontario.
According to the 2011 Census, there are 218,765 Francophones in Central-Southwestern Ontario, more than one third of the province’s total Francophone population.
It is estimated that by 2020, nearly half of Ontario’s Francophone population will be living in the Central-Southwestern region. The Francophone community of Central-Southwestern Ontario has a higher growth rate than any other Francophone community in the province.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can view the news release of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities at http://goo.gl/UXGCf2, the French Language Services Commissioner’s report No access, no future at http://goo.gl/o1RJML, and the report of the Expert Panel on French-language Post-secondary Education in Central-Southwestern Ontario, entitled Moving Forward, at http://ontario.ca/p56.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner works to ensure active, integrated delivery of French-language services in support of the development of the Francophone community and Ontarian society.
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Simon Côté, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
TORONTO, October 9, 2013 – French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau urges the government to proactively consider the needs of Francophones and Francophiles when it is thinking of modifying or eliminating programs that support their vitality and development, rather than doing so reactively as in the case of the cancellation of the Fellowships for Studying in French program.
The Commissioner documents the findings of his investigation in his report entitled Cancellation of the Fellowships for Studying in French: It pays to do your homework, published today.
The report reviews the factors that make it essential for the government to introduce a new incentive for people to pursue a postsecondary education in French in Ontario as a replacement for the fellowships. In the Commissioner’s opinion, the government was right to extend Ontario Distance Grant eligibility to include Francophones and Francophiles. Nevertheless, he believes that this measure is not sufficient to make up for the inequality between the availability of French-language college and university programs and the availability of English-language programs, especially in Central-Southwestern Ontario.
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“The government went against the principle of the active offer of service in French by eliminating the Fellowships for Studying in French program without first providing other specific measures to bring Francophones and Francophiles closer to genuine equal opportunity,” said the Commissioner. “I am nonetheless delighted that the government rectified the situation by broadening the eligibility criteria for the Travel Grant and the Commuting Grant to include Francophones and Francophiles.”
“It is vital for the government to develop and implement concrete, decisive action to remedy the very low French-language postsecondary education access rates (0% to 3%) in Central-Southwestern Ontario. Specific positive measures in this regard must be taken to provide Francophones with substantively equal opportunities to preserve their language, culture and identity,” added the Commissioner.
QUICK FACTS
– The Fellowships for Studying in French program was introduced by the Ontario government in 1975-1976. Each year, $1,500 non-renewable fellowships were available to some 800 postsecondary students with a sufficiently high level of academic performance.
– The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities cancelled the Fellowships for Studying in French program in April 2012 following the discontinuation of several Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding plans in order to pay for the 30% Off Ontario Tuition program.
– In May 2013, the government extended eligibility for the Ontario Distance Grant program to include Francophones and Francophiles who have to travel at least 80 kilometres to attend a French-language full-time program, even if there is a college or university closer to their permanent home address.
– Despite the good intentions demonstrated in the most recent Speech from the Throne, more than a year after the publication of his report entitled The State of French-Language Postsecondary Education in Central-Southwestern Ontario: No access, no future, the government has still not announced any action plan to remedy the situation.
LEARN MORE
You can view the report Cancellation of the Fellowships for Studying in French: It pays to do your homework at www.flsc.gov.on.ca, in the “Publications” section.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner works to ensure active, integrated delivery of French-language services in support of the development of the Francophone community and Ontarian society.
Simon Côté, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
Phone: (416) 314-8247 or 1-866-246-5262 (toll free)
E-mail: communications.flscCSF@ontario.ca
TORONTO, September 26, 2013 — French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau is delighted with the introduction of Bill 106, the French Language Services Amendment Act (French Language Services Commissioner), 2013, in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario yesterday. If this bill is passed, the resulting amendments to the French Language Services Act will make the French Language Services Commissioner an officer of the Legislature.
In his 2011-2012 Annual Report, Straight Forward, the Commissioner recommended to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs that an amendment to the French Language Services Act be introduced to have the Commissioner report directly to the Legislative Assembly. The Commissioner felt in particular that it was time to safeguard the position from possible political interference, to make certain to maintain the interest of public servants and senior officials in complying with the Act over the long term, and to give the Commissioner the necessary autonomy to fully execute his duties.
QUOTES
“I congratulate the Government of Ontario and especially the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, for taking the necessary measures to stay the course on effective implementation of the French Language Services Act,” said the Commissioner. “The introduction of this bill reflects the Minister’s leadership and is a fitting addition to her impressive 10-year track record in that portfolio.”
“I am also grateful to the Francophone Affairs Critics for their contribution and support which were instrumental on carrying the bill quickly through the first and second readings. I hope, of course, that this support continues in the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly and through the third reading,” added the Commissioner.
“The Commissioner’s independence would be a historic step forward in recognizing and safeguarding the rights of Ontario’s Francophone citizens. In my opinion, there could not have been better Francophone affairs news than the introduction of this bill on Franco-Ontarian Day,” concluded the Commissioner.
QUICK FACTS
– The position of French Language Services Commissioner was established in September 2007 following an amendment to the French Language Services Act.
– The French Language Services Commissioner is responsible for conducting independent investigations under the French Language Services Act in response to complaints or on his own initiative. He also monitors the progress made by government agencies in delivering services in French in Ontario.
– The French Language Services Commissioner is currently one of the few ombudsmen in Ontario who report to a minister rather than directly to all parliamentarians.
– If Bill 106 is passed, the French Language Services Commissioner will become an officer of the Legislature, like the Auditor General, the Environmental Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Integrity Commissioner, the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, the Ombudsman of Ontario and the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario.
– The French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario is the only provincial or territorial language ombudsman in Canada who does not report directly to the legislative assembly of his jurisdiction. The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, and the Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories report to the parliamentarians of their respective provincial or territorial jurisdiction.
LEARN MORE
See Bill 106, the French Language Services Amendment Act (French Language Services Commissioner), 2013, at http://goo.gl/aKI2P1 and section 1.2 of the Commissioner’s 2011-2012 Annual Report on the independence of the French Language Services Commissioner at http://ontario.ca/bipi.
The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner works to ensure active, integrated delivery of French-language services in support of the development of the Francophone community and Ontarian society.
Simon Côté, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
Phone: (416) 314-8247 or 1-866-246-5262 (toll free)
E-mail: communications.flscCSF@ontario.ca
